Device for producing a curved strip, in particular a curved, flat composite cable

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for producing a curved strip, in particular a curved, flat composite cable. Said device comprises a drive device with rotating clamping elements, which is located downstream of the weaving device. In addition, at least two take-off rollers ( 1, 2 ), at least one ( 1 ) of which is driven, are provided in a frame ( 5 ). The frame ( 5 ) can be pivoted about an axis (Z) which is perpendicular to the plane of the strip. The pivoting axis (Z) of the frame ( 5 ) can also be displaced transversely to the direction of movement of the strip. The take-off rollers ( 1, 2, ) can be profiled according to the profile of the thickness of the strip. The non-driven pressure rollers ( 2 ) can consist of segments of different diameters which are pushed onto a fixed shaft. The take-off rollers ( 1, 2 ) are preferably designed to be free-running.

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a curved strip, especially, a curved flat composite cable, the apparatus comprising a drive device having rotating clamp elements disposed downstream of a weaving device.

[0002] DE 198 16 666 A1 discloses a process for producing strips in the form of woven composites with a curvature in the plane of the weave. Additionally, the reference describes a device for producing curved strips having a rotating withdrawal device in the form of conical rollers. The conical rollers in the area of their greatest diameter withdraw the warp threads faster than the warp threads are withdrawn in the area of the smaller diameters such that a curve is produced toward the direction of the side with the smaller diameters. Two variations are described in the reference for effecting a change in a radius of a curve.

[0003] In the first variation described in the reference, the outer surface of the conical rollers is built up of layers and the diameter can be variably adjusted by varying the dispositions of the layers on both sides of the roller. In the second variation, a revolver or rotary roller magazine is provided in which conical rollers for the various curvature radii in both directions of curvature are available.

[0004] This solution exhibits the disadvantage that the layered conical rollers and the revolver roller magazine are configured in a complicated manner and thereby engender high production costs. Due to the complicated configuration of these components and the high number of components, the susceptibility of the total system to disturbances proportionately increases and its deployability proportionately decreases. A further disadvantage is, as well, the requirement for a relatively large amount of space for the roller magazines and its limited storage capacity, such that only a few variable widths of the curves can be produced.

[0005] The present invention provides a solution to the challenge of providing a flexible, cost-favorable, space-saving device deployable across a wide spectrum of uses.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a solution is provided in that at least two withdrawal rollers are mounted in a frame or support structure, of which at least one of the withdrawal rollers is driven.

[0007] The frame or support structure is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the strip. The pivot axis of the frame is, additionally, displaceable transversely to the direction of movement of the strip. The withdrawal rollers can be correspondingly advantageously profiled in correspondence with the thickness profile of the strip. The non-driven or idle withdrawal rollers (press or nip rollers) can be comprised of segments of differing diameters which are inserted onto a fixed axis. Additionally, the withdrawal rollers can comprise free rolling segments.

[0008] The invention is described in more detail in connection with the hereinafter following descriptions of embodiments thereof. In the associated drawings, it is shown:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the device of the present invention, and

[0010]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] The device (FIG. 1) comprises a withdrawal roller 1 and a nip roller 2 between which travel the warp threads in the form of individual lines 3. A roller drive 4 engages the withdrawal roller 1 for driving rotation thereof.

[0012] Withdrawal roller 1, nip roller 2, and roller drive 4 together comprise the withdrawal device. This device is mounted on a pivot frame 5, which is pivotable about a pivot axis Z with the aid of a hydraulic cylinder 6 (FIG. 2). Furthermore, the pivot frame is displaceable relative to the weave or strip plane and displaceable perpendicular to the travel direction of the individual lines 3 along a slide base 7.

[0013] The pivot axis Z of the pivot frame 5 can be adjustably disposed along the edge of the composite cable which is to be drawn off or withdrawn, by means of which the production of an arc having the corresponding inner radius is to be formed. The radius of the curve is set or determined by the grade or degree of the swinging out of the withdrawal device. If the grade or degree of swinging out is 0°, the withdrawal device withdraws the compound in the manner of a conventional withdrawal device and a straight strip is produced.

[0014] If an arc or curve is to be produced, then the withdrawal rollers 1, 2 are additionally swung or pivoted about the pivot axis Z while driven at the same rate of rotation. In this manner, those individual lines at a distance from the pivot axis Z are drawn off at a greater length than those individual lines which lie nearer or more proximate to the pivot axis Z. A curve is thus produced.

[0015] The total swinging out angle ω of an individual swinging out movement is limited. To achieve curves having greater angles than the swinging out angle ω, individual curve segments are serially arranged relative to one another.

[0016] In this manner, upon the achievement of the greatest possible individual swinging out angle ω, the rate of rotation of the withdrawal roller is increased such that a rapid return or back swing of the drive apparatus can occur without producing buckling in the strip. Following this return or backswing movement, the afore-described process is performed again. To improve the return or backswing movement, the withdrawal rollers can be apportioned or divided into segments in which each segment is itself mounted on a free running mechanism, which works against the possible occurrence of buckling during the return or backswing movement.

[0017] Reference Numbers

[0018]1 withdrawal roller

[0019]2 press roller

[0020]3 individual lines

[0021]4 drive roller

[0022]5 pivot frame

[0023]6 hydraulic cylinder

[0024]7 slide base 

1. An apparatus for producing a curved strip, especially, a curved flat composite cable, the apparatus comprising a drive device having rotating clamp elements disposed downstream of a weaving device, characterized in that at least two withdrawal rollers are mounted in a frame or support structure, of which at least one of the withdrawal rollers is driven, whereby the frame or support structure is pivotable about an axis (Z) perpendicular to the plane of the strip and the pivot of the frame is, additionally, displaceable transversely to the direction of movement of the strip.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the withdrawal rollers can be correspondingly advantageously profiled in correspondence with the thickness profile of the strip.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the non-driven or idle withdrawal rollers (press or nip rollers) are comprised of segments of differing diameters which are inserted onto a fixed axis.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the withdrawal rollers comprise a free rolling portion. 